Reasons Why University Students Do Not Seek Counselling Services in Kenya

Abstract

Transition to university life can be stressful for all students. In mitigation, most universities in Kenya offer social support to students in form of counselling, financial assistance, health and academic support. Despite this it has been documented that only a minority of university students who experience psychological distress seek professional counselling (Khan and Williams, 2003, Raunic and Xenos, 2008) a situation that is the same in Kenya. According to university counsellors, university students undergo tremendous stress from personal issues, academic pressure, career emphasis and social problems. Counselling is meant to provide linear paths for students to address their problems. However, some students are reluctant to seek help from counsellors. This paper is a report on a study that sought to establish the reasons why university students in Kenya do not seek counselling services.

Key words: Gender, Social Mistrust, Confidence, immediate solutions, Perception, Location